Rev. Chris Alexander's Testimony in Support of SCR 4022
My name is Chris Alexander, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck. I stand before you today because I support our troops, I support their families, and I support peace in Iraq. As a pastor, I have seen the effects of war upon my congregation. Servicemen and women, as well as their loved ones, are to be honored and praised for their sacrifices. They have indeed been many. Each day, I pray for our troops — for their health, wellbeing, safety. They have served well, they have shown much courage, and their job is done. I can't think of a better way to thank our troops than to reunite them with their families and friends. Let's say, “Thank you. We honor you. It is time to come home.”
When I think of home, my thoughts travel to the people of Iraq. Each day, I pray for them, too. They are not nameless, faceless “enemies.” They are not “collateral damage.” They are people, like us. They struggle, as our troops struggle, in times of conflict and war. Like us, the Iraqi people long for a better world for their children. My faith teaches me that we are to be like parents to all children of the world, including the children of Iraq.
Our troops arrived in Iraq with a sense of purpose and possibility, a hope that they would be of service. Their service is now complete. There is no greater victory than doing the right thing at the right time. Let us all be victorious in peace. Let us express true gratitude to the troops, true compassion for the Iraqi people, and true participation in the democratic process. Please make a "Do Pass" recommendation on SCR 4022. Let us pursue peace. Let us, at last, bring our troops home.
I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.